Review of concert at Cologne, E-Werk on 1999-05-08
Elvis Costello & Steve Nieve
- Peter Runia <Peter.Runia@t-online.de>

 

Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve at E-Werk, Cologne

8 May, 1999

Review by Peter Runia

 

It was good to see Elvis back in Cologne. Five years ago Elvis played at the same place (the E-Werk) with the Attractions during the "Brutal Youth" Tour. By the way, Elvis knew that he had been here a couple of years ago, but he didn’t know it was five years. I reminded him of that! Yes, the atmosphere was so intimate that you could actually talk to Elvis. Great! But more than that: the show was fabulous. I can underline the opinion of all the other fans who remarked that Elvis and Steve had really fun on stage. The crowd knew the songs and joined in when possible. We did backing vocals on "Radio Sweetheart" and "Red Shoes". Elvis explained the background of some of the songs, for example that he used a part of the German National Anthem for "Little Atoms". Great was his interpretation of "God’s Comic" with nasty comments on Elvis Presley and "the Almighty Being"!

He also talked about his recent collaboration with Burt Bacharach and pointed out that it was not Music: Bacharach/Lyrics: Costello, but that they "were fighting about the black and white notes on the Piano".

The setlist of the evening was almost as expected. Couldn’t call it unexpected! But I think that they didn’t play "Veronica" for the first time. Well, you can’t have everything. All in all it was a superb show: Elvis with his brilliant voice (it’s getting better and better!) and Steve’s excellent piano-playing, both in a very good mood (and not to forget "the little hands of concrete" on the guitar, also excellent!) and I think I can speak for all the fans who were there: It was an unforgettable evening! Come back soon, Elvis!